Metal Detecting Forum

Tom, I would agree with you except that around here many places totally prohibit metal detecting. Would I like no restrictions and requirements for any kind of permit, sure. At least the county is allowing us to detect, with a few exceptions and a few rules that are not unreasonable. You don't have to worry about park staff when you go to a park because they know detecting is allowed. I have not had any bad experiences even when getting the permit the staff was very nice and encouraging. Of course this could change on a dime but at least now they seem to respect us and it seems to be working. I know it sure makes hunting more fun when you don't have to worry about park staff kicking you out or giving you the evil eye. So far the staff I have met have been friendly to us and like I said earlier in one park in particular that is 90 years old I was told by a staff person where the oldest part of the park was and he was very encouraging. Now, you are right you are supposed to show your finds to staff before you leave so they can determine if any are of historical value. I have found old silver coins and some jewelry items and they have never even wanted to look when I offered. Conversely if I found a relic that had a historical significance to the park I would be happy to donate it to the park for display. Most of the staff know me as I frequent some parks and they all wave and say hi. It's probably not the best scenario but it sure beats prohibiting detecting all together like it seems so many communities are doing.

hunt2day, You are very lucky. We use to be like that till clowns abused it. Try not to let Newbs or others ruin it for You like they did here. If they are not back filling their holes and using a shovel let them know about it as these types can get a site closed fast.
They watch the YouTube guys using shovels in parks and figure it's O.K.

QuoteTom_in_CA
.... Wow! Working WITH the citizens instead of marking them all because of a few bad apples. THAT'S the American way!! I'd go for that! Would both create harmony ......

Slingshot, this is the common image whenever someone posts about any place that dreamed up and implemented "permits". Eh ? It evokes images of being able to detect nilly-willy carte-blanche. With no uncertainty on whether someone might gripe, etc.... Right ? So "permits" are therefore often seen as a "good" thing and "harmony", and "desirable". Right ?

But look closer at places that have ever had "permits", and you will begin to see the devil in the details. Often times they are riddled with silly rules. Like "not within 20 ft. of any tree", or "digger tool shall not exceed 3" length". Or "turn in all valuables to the park office". Or "yes but you can't dig". Or "on sandy beaches only", etc.....

And worse yet: A lot of places that ever dreamed up "permits", simply revoke the system a few years later. Why ? Because it's perpetually something on their radar that they need to think about each year. And sure as heck, one year someone in a meeting will say "Gee, do we really want all these yahoos out there digging up the park ?" Or some archie gets his panties in a wad and says "Gee, do we really want these guys digging up our past ? " And then the system just gets revoked altogether.

So it's much better that there is neither an express allowance or dis-allowance. Better that it's simply not addressed either way, and silent on the subject. So that it's not something regulated by them, and subject to future cancellation and silly rules. If it's silent on the subject, then presto: Not disallowed.

There was a day when I walked onto sites and policemen, teachers, even cameramen from the news expressed interest and were even supportive of the hobby. Of course, back then the thought of a shovel or knife was foreign to most of us on these public sites. And I felt like a real human being returning lost rings or alerting the proper officials of problems spotted while on the site. It was all so harmonious and then the clubs even had events sponsored for the public benefit. I agree-and totally miss those days. I knew things were different several years ago when the city gave us new bathrooms at ballparks and the main city park and the fixtures were destroyed by ungrateful vandals. I don't know-other than a changed heart from faith in God--the answer anymore.

Slingshot and Harold you are both correct. I started this hobby along time ago and it seems like in some places you are thought of as a pest and vandal when in reality most of us are good stewards of the places we visit. I guess it only takes a few folks who dig and leave holes and leave trash to hurt us all. At the park I'm working now I have found holes which pop tops sitting on top where they found them and just left them. I had to clean up their mess. I think that changed heart that slingshot mentioned has a lot of truth. Happy hunting !!